New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declined to directly apologize to the families of people killed by illegal immigrants after Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman confronted her over the issue during Tuesday night's gubernatorial debate, instead turning the exchange toward Americans killed by federal immigration agents.
Looking directly at Hochul as he brought up several victims, Blakeman asked what she had to say to families who will "never get to sit at another Thanksgiving dinner, never be able to open their presents on their Christmas tree."
"Will you apologize to them, and will you please return Sheridan Gorman's parents' calls to talk to you about your sanctuary policy?" he said.
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Jose Medina-Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, faces charges related to the fatal shooting of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student from Yorktown, New York, as she walked with friends near her campus late at night. Her death has fueled calls for change from her parents, who have taken aim at sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE.
Hochul responded by calling all crimes "heartbreaking," adding, "I abhor all crimes, regardless of the perpetrator."
She then went on to say her administration has spent billions to "help law enforcement do their jobs" and reduce crime across the state.
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"We have driven down crime to historic lows, especially violent crimes like shootings and murders and that didn't come easy," she said. "That took a lot of work. I've had to change laws. I've got to allocate more money."
Hochul did not directly answer Blakeman's request for an apology or his question about returning Gorman's parents' calls. Instead, she brought up Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot and killed during separate confrontations with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January.
"When you're talking about ICE, what I find so shocking is that when an American mother was murdered by ICE agents, you said that her killing was justified," she fired back.
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She said Blakeman did not have an answer when asked whether Pretti's death was "justified," saying, "I find those answers just reprehensible, so you won't apologize. I apologize for any pain that has happened to anyone."
The exchange set off a wave of social media scrutiny, with critics accusing Hochul of not caring about the victims.
"INSANE! Kathy Hochul can't even apologize to victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens - or promise to return their calls," RNC Research posted on X.
"She couldn't care less," radio host Brett Winterble posted on X.
"Disgusting," Republican National Committee spokesperson Kristen Cianci posted on X.
"NO APOLOGY. No ownership of the sanctuary policies," Richard Sementa, executive producer of "The Mark Levin Show," posted on X.
"BOOM! Bruce Blakeman put Kathy Hochul's immigration policies on trial, live. Bruce Blakeman: "What do you say to their families, Kathy?" Families of victims want answers, and Hochul still hasn't given them one," conservative influencer Gunther Eagleman posted on X.
Voters will decide between Hochul and Blakeman in the upcoming November election to determine who will serve as New York governor.
